Shadow Minister for Trade Stephen Smith today said that a Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee Report, tabled last night on Tim Fischer's Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) Bill 1997, placed further pressure on Mr Fischer to back down on anti export aspects of the Bill.

"Mr Fischer indicated to the House ofRepresentatives on Wednesday during debate on the Bill that, because of submissions made by exporters and debate in the House, he would reconsider the exclusion of exporters incorporated as trusts from the EMDG scheme," said Mr Smith.

"Mr Fischer said he would reconsider this aided by the Senate Committee's Report.

The Senate Committee held a public hearing, initiated by the Opposition, into the EMDG Bill on Monday of this week.

"The Senate Committee Report outlines exporters' especial concerns about the exclusion of trusts from EMDG, and the exclusion of eligible export activities, particularly airfares after two years. It is clear from the Report that much export activity currently undertaken by small and medium sized exporters will no longer take place under Mr Fischer's Bill.

"The Government's own Committee members recommend changes to the Bill in these areas.

As well, Opposition senators in a minority report recommended amendments to the Bill including:

i. all elements of retrospectivity in relation to trusts be removed from the Bill;

ii. trusts currently eligible for EMDG funding remain eligible for the full eight years of the scheme;

"Mr Fischer should now do the right thing by Australian exporters and Australian jobs and surrender on these aspects his Bill. He should instruct his officials to draft the necessary amendments to fix these anti export measures."